Powder-distributing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for distributing a magnetizable metallic powder, such as iron powder, comprising an airtight container for storing the powder therein, conduit means supplying a pressurized gas to the container for creating a predetermined operational pressure therein, an injector having an inlet operatively coupled with said container and produces a gas-powder mixture from the powder upon forcing the powder into it by the pressure, a magnetic coil disposed adjacent the inlet for preventing, when actuated, entry of the powder into the inlet from the container under pressure thereby reliably sealing the outlet of the container, a valve disposed in the conduit for reliably sealing the container, when closed, whereby actuation of the magnetic device and closing of the valve reliably retains the operational pressure in the container during interruption of operation.

United States Patent [72] inventor Dieter Kimm Frankfurt am Main, Germany [2l] Appl. No. 359,799

[22] Filed Sept. 22, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Messer Griesheim G.m.b.ll.

I Frankfurt am Main, Germany [32] Priority Sept. 25, 1968 33] Germany [54] POWDER-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

[ 52] U.S. Cl. 302/53, 222/504 5 1 int. Cl. B653 53/42 [50] Field oi Search 302/53, 52. 63; 222/504 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,734,782 2/1956 Galle 7 302/53 3,486,660 12/1969 Heintz 222/504X Primary Examiner-Joseph Wegbreit Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Stoner. Jr. Attorney-Ernest F. Marmorek ABSTRACT: Apparatus for distributing a magnetizable metallic powder, such as iron powder, comprising an airtight container for storing the powder therein, conduit means supplying a pressurized gas to the container for creating a predetermined operational pressure therein, an injector having an inlet operatively coupled with said container and produces a gaspowder mixture from the powder upon forcing the powder into it by the pressure, a magnetic coil disposed adjacent the inlet for preventing, when actuated, entry of the powder into the inlet from the container under pressure thereby reliably sealing the outlet of the container, a valve disposed in the conduit for reliably sealing the container. when closed. whereby actuation of the magnetic device and closing of the valve reliably retains the operational pressure in the container during interruption of operation.

PATENTED mm mm 3625571 INVENTOR- -DIETER KIM M POWDER-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to powder-illustrating apparatus and more particularly to an iron-powder-distributing apparatus for powder cutters or powder torch devices in which an airtight container holds the iron powder and by supplying compressed air to the container an injector forms a powder-air mixture for use by the cutter or torch devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In known distributing devices upon starting up the device or interrupting its operation drops form in the injector at its mixture outlet port which require cleaning by hand. In the meantime the pressure of the container sinks too fast so that restarting of the device requires considerable time till an operational pressure can be reached within the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a powder-distributing apparatus which can be restarted without delay after each interruption of the operation.

According to the invention a magnetic coil is placed at the inlet of the injector to which the powder is forced from the container which along with further magnetic valves at the inlet of the container seals the container airtight during interruptions of the operation and at the same time the injector is blown clear of the remaining powder therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

The single FIGURE is a schematic representation of a distributing apparatus according to the invention.

With reference to the single figure it is seen that a powder distributor apparatus includes a container 1 containing an amount of iron powder 2. Through conduit 3 compressed air is fed into container I from a supply source not shown connected to supply conduit 4. The latter conduit contains a pressure regulator 5 and a pair of electromagnetically operated valves 6 and 7. From conduit 4 a pressure-distributing conduit 8 branches ofi' which through a charging valve 10 feeds an injector 9 with compressed air. A powder conduit 11 which supplies the injector 9 with powder is surrounded by a magnetic coil 12, the effect and operation of which willbe hereinafter described. The powder-air mixture formed by the injector is led away to a user (not shown) through a conduit 13.

Before setting the powder-distributing apparatus into operation, pressure regulator 5 and charging valve 10 are set to a predetermined value associated with a desired powder quantity within a predetennined time period. Both magnetic valves 6 and 7 are still closed. Magnetic coil 12 is in its excited state and its resulting magnetic field prevents the iron powder 2 from leaving conduit 11 due to its specific weight.

In order to remove powder during operation of the distributing apparatus magnetic valves 6 and 7 should be opened whereupon compressed air is fed into container 1 and to injector 9. Should the pressure become high enough in container 1, magnetic coil 12 is deenergized by disconnecting its exciting current, whereupon the iron powder 2 enters the injector 9 and from there to the user.

Upon interrupting the operation of the distributing apparatus, the magnetic coil 12 is excited again which prevents entry of powder 2 from container 1 into the injector 9. The compressed air gets through distributing conduit 8 into injector 9 and blows out the remaining iron powder therefrom resulting in automatic cleaning of the injector without additional effort. As a result, clogging of the injector is eliminated.

Thereafter magnetic valves ;6 and 7 are closed simultaneously or successively. A new starting IS possible without any special preparations as long as suflicient pressure is present in the container. The container may experience pressure drops during the rest position due to leakage through the seals of its feeder lines and through conduit II which are appropriately controlled and held within limits.

While the invention has been explained and described with the aid of a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereby and that many modifications retaining and utilizing the spirit thereof without departing essentially therefrom will occur to those skilled in the art in applying the invention to specific operating environments and conditions. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

I. An apparatus for distributing a magnetizable metallic powder, such as iron powder,

comprising, in combination,

an airtight container for storing said powder therein, said container defining an outlet,

a gas supply conduit for pressurized gas,

a first gasline fed from said supply conduit and intercommunicating with said container and operative for supplying pressurized gas to said container thereby creating a predetermined operational pressure therein,

an injector having an inlet conduit intercommunicating with said outlet,

a second gasline fed from said supply conduit and communicating with said injector and being thereby operable for producing in said injector a gas-powder mixture when powder is forced by said operational pressure through said outlet and inlet conduit into said injector,

electromagnetic means disposed adjacent said inlet conduit generating, when actuated, an electromagnetic field restraining passage, by magnetizing, of powder into said injector and thereby hermetically sealing said outlet by said magnetized powder, and

electromagnetically operated valve means disposed in said first gasline, whereby actuation of said electromagnetic means and closing of said valve means will retain said operational pressure in said container during interruptions of operation and the gas from said second gasline will clear said injector from powder remnants.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second electromagnetically operated valve means disposed in said gas supply conduit upstream of said first and second gaslines operative for shutting off all gas flow to said container and to said injector. 

1. An apparatus for distributing a magnetizable metallic powder, such as iron powder, comprising, in combination, an airtight container for storing said powder therein, said container defining an outlet, a gas supply conduit for pressurized gas, a first gasline fed from said supply conduit and intercommunicating with said container and operative for supplying pressurized gas to said container thereby creating a predetermined operational pressure therein, an injector having an inlet conduit intercommunicating with said outlet, a second gasline fed from said supply conduit and communicating with said injector and being thereby operable for producing in said injector a gas-powder mixture when powder is forced by said operational pressure through said outlet and inlet conduit into said injector, electromagnetic means disposed adjacent said inlet conduit generating, when actuated, an electromagnetic field restraining passage, by magnetizing, of powder into said injector and thereby hermetically sealing said outlet by said magnetized powder, and electromagnetically operated valve means disposed in said first gasline, whereby actuation of said electromagnetic means and closing of said valve means will retain said operational pressure in said container during interruptions of operation and the gas from said second gasline will clear said injector from powder remnants.
 2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second electromagnetically operated valve means disposed in said gas supply conduit upstream of said first and second gaslines operative for shutting off all gas flow to said container and to said injector. 